Edwin Wittenberg

Funeral services celebrating the life of Edwin Wittenberg, age 87, of Glencoe were held Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 2:00 PM at First Ev. Lutheran Church in Glencoe. Officiating was Rev. Ronald Mathison. The organist was Dawn Wolter. The soloist was Brian Carlson who sang “How Great Thou Art.” The congregational hymns were “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” and “Onward Christian Soldiers.” Serving as casket bearers were his grandchildren Estee Carlson and Giovanni PerezAlonso, Andrew Manther and Melissa Manther, Kailey Thornton, Daniel Manther and Tawnie Manther. Honorary casket bearers were MiKayla Carlson, Toran Thornton, Kaylee Manther and Khloe Manther. Visitation was held 2 hours prior to the service at the church. Interment followed in High Island Cemetery.

Edwin Ernest John Carl Wittenberg was born August 28, 1922, the son of John and Adina (Abraham) Wittenberg in Alfsborg Township, Sibley County. He was baptized on October 17, 1922 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gaylord by Rev. Alf. Streufert and later confirmed into the faith also at Immanuel Lutheran by Rev. Winter. He grew up in both the Winthrop and Lafayette area. Edwin entered active military service in the United States Army 8th Air Force, and served his country in World War II with the 445th Bomb Group in England from 1943-1945. He reenlisted for three years and served in Panama, British Guiana and Trinidad as a construction operator. He received a Distinguished Unit Badge fro action with the 701st Bombardment Squadron, Good Conduct Ribbon and the EAME Ribbon. On November 8, 1949, Edwin was united in marriage with Verda Bergs at the Lutheran Parsonage in Marshall by Rev. E. R. Gamm. The couple resided in Arlington before moving to Glencoe in 1953, and in 1990 they moved to a hobby farm north of Glencoe.

Edwin held employment at Pinske Motors in Arlington for 1950-1953 and then Glencoe Motors in Glencoe from 1953-1985 as an auto and truck technician. He was a member of First Ev. Lutheran Church since 1955 and served many years as usher and deacon. Edwin was commander of the American Legion Post 95 and Glencoe VFW Post 5102. He was also a member of McLeod County Veterans Van Committee. Edwin enjoyed country living, mechanical work, traveling, music, dancing, fishing and attending auctions. He especially enjoyed the time he spent with his family and friends.

On Wednesday, March 31, 2010, Edwin entered his eternal rest at Glencoe Regional Health Services Long Term Care at the age of 87 years, 7 months and 3 days. He was preceded in death by his parents; sibling Helen Wittenberg, Elmer Wittenberg (Sarah), Adelia Plieseis, Arthur Wittenberg, George Wittenberg, Adeline Twedt (Joy), Violet Brown (Orville); Andrew Wittenberg; brothers-in-law Merlin Bergs (Viola), Clarence Bergs (Lorraine).

Edwin is survived by his wife, Verda Wittenberg of Glencoe; children, Deborah Angeln of Cleveland, MN, Carol Carlson (Brian) of Chaska, Wanda Ostlund (Daniel) of Danshui, Taiwan; grandchildren Estee Carlson (special friend: Giovanni PerezAlonso) of Chaska, Kailey Thornton (Toran) of Chaska, Andrew Manther (Melissa) of Rosemount, Daniel Manther (Tawnie) of Lakeville; great granddaughters MiKayla Carlson, Kaylee Manther, Khloe Manther; siblings Walter Wittenberg (June) of Litchfield, Edward Wittenberg of Buffalo, Rudolf Wittenberg (Elli) of Pine River; sisters-in-law Hazel Wittenberg, Gladys Kroells (Howard); as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Arrangements were with the Johnson-McBride Funeral Chapel in Glencoe. For online guestbook, please visit www.mcbridefuneralchapels.com